Patentable/Patents/US-9807441
US-9807441

Broadcast schedule synchronized digital video recorder

PublishedOctober 31, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A disclosed example may accurately start and stop a recording of an event based on accurate event scheduling information from a channel broadcaster. A start time and stop time for a recording of the event may be scheduled according to EPG data. In response to determining that the channel is a controlled channel, which includes accurate event scheduling information provided by a channel broadcaster, a recording may be initially scheduled for the event according to the EPG data with an extended duration of a predetermined time value. The digitally encoded transport stream may be continuously monitored to detect a new event and the detected new event may then be mapped to the event. As a result, the recording time of the event may be accurately updated by extracting a set of parameters from the accurate event schedule information of the new event.

Patent Claims
18 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method to record an event, the method comprising: starting, by a processor, a recording of the event on a channel according to a recording start time and stop time for the event determined from electronic programming guide (EPG) data; extracting, by the processor, event scheduling information from a digitally encoded transport stream, wherein the event schedule information includes at least one of a start time and a stop time; setting, by the processor, at least one of a start bookmark and a stop bookmark in recording metadata for the event based on the event schedule information extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream, wherein if the start bookmark is set in the recording metadata, the start bookmark setting comprises determining that the recording of the event will be in progress prior to the event scheduling information being extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream, and wherein if the stop bookmark is set in the recording metadata, the stop bookmark setting comprises determining that the event will be completed prior to the event scheduling information being extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream; and trimming or extending, by the processor, the recording of the event based on at least one of the start bookmark and the stop bookmark.

Plain English Translation

A method for recording TV shows accurately adjusts start and stop times using information embedded in the broadcast signal. The system starts recording a show based on initial schedule data from an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). It also extracts real-time scheduling data (start/stop times) directly from the digital TV broadcast. Based on the real-time data, it sets start or stop "bookmarks" in the recording's metadata. If the broadcast data reveals the EPG start time was early, a start bookmark is set. If the broadcast data reveals that the EPG stop time was early, a stop bookmark is set. Finally, the recording is trimmed or extended according to these bookmarks, ensuring accurate start and end points.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising reading a channel configuration file, wherein the channel configuration file includes tuning information for channels provided by a video service delivery platform, the channel configuration file providing a mapping between a channel identifier (ID) in the event schedule information extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream, and a channel ID in the EPG data.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the method described in claim 1, the system uses a channel configuration file to correctly identify channels. This file contains tuning information for all channels provided by the TV service and maps channel identifiers from the broadcast signal data to the channel identifiers used in the EPG data. This allows the system to correlate real-time broadcast information with the EPG even if the channel IDs differ.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: monitoring the digitally encoded transport stream for a channel that includes the event schedule information; and adding the channel to a controlled channels log in response to determining the digitally encoded transport stream includes event schedule information for the channel.

Plain English Translation

Further extending the method in claims 1 and 2, the system actively monitors the digital broadcast stream for channels that provide real-time scheduling data within their broadcasts. If a channel is found to include this data, the system adds that channel to a "controlled channels log". This log is then used to prioritize channels with reliable scheduling information for accurate recording.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: detecting a new event on the digitally encoded transport stream of the channel in the controlled channel log; determining, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a start time within a predetermined tolerance to the recording start time for the event according to the EPG data; determining, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a same title as a title of the event according to the EPG data; and linking the new event to the event in response to determining that the new event has a start time within a predetermined tolerance to the recording start time for the event and that the new event has the same title as the title of the event.

Plain English Translation

Using the method outlined in claims 1, 2, and 3, the system improves recording accuracy by detecting new event data within the digital broadcast of channels listed in the "controlled channel log". It then checks if the new event's start time is within a small tolerance of the EPG start time, and if the title matches the EPG title. If both conditions are met, the new event is linked to the existing EPG event, ensuring that updated scheduling information is used for that recording.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the event schedule information is information included in an event information table (EIT) that is transmitted as service information (SI) embedded in the digitally encoded transport stream, wherein the EIT includes a duration, and a short event descriptor for an event.

Plain English Translation

The method from claim 1 specifies that the real-time scheduling data is transmitted as part of the Event Information Table (EIT). The EIT is a standard part of the broadcast's Service Information (SI) and includes details like show duration and short descriptions. The recording system extracts this EIT data to accurately adjust recording times.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising: extracting a duration from the event schedule information of the new event; and modifying a recording duration for the event based on the extracted duration, wherein the modifying includes at least one of: stopping the recording of the event if the extracted duration indicates that the event has already ended; and changing the stop time of the recording of the event if the extracted duration indicates that the event stop time is still in the future.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the method in claim 1, the system uses the duration information extracted from the new event's scheduling data to dynamically adjust the recording. If the extracted duration indicates the event has already ended, the recording is stopped. If the duration indicates the event will continue beyond the originally scheduled stop time, the recording's stop time is extended.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising: receiving, by the controller, a record request for the event.

Plain English Translation

This claim adds a basic trigger to the method described in claim 1, that the recording process starts when a user requests to record a specific event. The rest of the process ensures the recording is accurate based on broadcast schedule information.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A system for recording of an event, the system comprising: a processor to: start a recording of the event on a channel according to a recording start time and stop time for the event according to electronic programming guide (EPG) data; extract event scheduling information from a digitally encoded transport stream, wherein the event schedule information includes at least one of a start time and a stop time; set at least one of a start bookmark and a stop bookmark in recording metadata for the event based on the start and stop time from the event schedule information of the event extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream, wherein setting the start bookmark includes determining that the recording of the event will be in progress prior to the event scheduling information being extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream, and setting the stop bookmark includes determining that the event will be completed prior to the event scheduling information being extracted from the digitally encoded transport stream; and trim the recording based on at least one of the start bookmark and the stop bookmark.

Plain English Translation

A TV recording system includes a processor that starts a recording based on EPG data. The processor extracts real-time scheduling information from the digital broadcast stream, including start and stop times. Based on this real-time data, the system sets start or stop "bookmarks" in the recording's metadata. If the broadcast data reveals the EPG start time was early, a start bookmark is set. If the broadcast data reveals that the EPG stop time was early, a stop bookmark is set. Finally, the recording is trimmed or extended according to these bookmarks, ensuring accurate start and end points.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein to extract event scheduling information from the digitally encoded transport stream, the processor is to: monitor the digitally encoded transport stream for a channel that includes event schedule information; and add the channel to a controlled channels log.

Plain English Translation

Building on the system in claim 8, the processor actively monitors the digital broadcast stream for channels that include real-time scheduling information. The processor adds these channels to a "controlled channels log". This log allows the system to prioritize channels with reliable scheduling data for accurate recordings.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is to: determine whether the channel is a controlled channel that is included in a controlled channels log, and in response to determining that the channel is the controlled channel, schedules the recording for the event according to the EPG data with an extended duration of a predetermined time value.

Plain English Translation

In the system from claim 8, the processor checks if the channel being recorded is in the "controlled channels log" (channels with real-time scheduling data). If it is, the system initially schedules the recording with an extended duration, anticipating potential adjustments based on the broadcast data.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is to: generate the controlled channels log, wherein the controlled channels log includes a set of channels, wherein each channel of the set includes event scheduling information in the digitally encoded transport stream.

Plain English Translation

The system in claim 10 includes a component to generate and maintain the "controlled channels log". This log stores a list of channels that embed real-time scheduling data within their digital broadcast stream.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein to extract event scheduling information from the digitally encoded transport stream, the processor is to: detect a new event on the digitally encoded transport stream of the controlled channel; and map the new event to the event.

Plain English Translation

Expanding upon the system described in claim 11, the processor detects "new event" data from the broadcast stream of channels in the "controlled channel log". The processor maps these "new events" to the recordings that are already scheduled or in progress.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein to map the new event to the event, the processor is to: determine, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a start time within a predetermined tolerance to the recording start time for the event according to the EPG data; determine, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a same title as a title of the event according to the EPG data; and link the new event to the event in response to determining that the new event has a start time within a predetermined tolerance to the recording start time for the event and that the new event has a same title as a title of the event.

Plain English Translation

Extending the system from claim 12, the processor maps "new events" by comparing their start times and titles to the existing EPG data. If the new event's start time is within a specified tolerance of the EPG start time, and the titles match, then the new event is linked to the original EPG-scheduled recording, ensuring that updated scheduling information is used.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. A method to record an event, the method comprising: setting, by a processor, a recording start time and stop time for the event on a channel according to electronic programming guide (EPG) data; detecting, by the processor, a new event on a digitally encoded transport stream of the channel; extracting, by the processor, event scheduling information of the new event from the digitally encoded transport stream, wherein extracting event scheduling information of the new event comprises: extracting a start time from the event schedule information of the new event; mapping, by the processor, the new event to the event based on matching event scheduling information of the new event with the EPG data for the event; updating, by the processor, a recording of the event based upon the event schedule information of the mapped new event, wherein updating the recording of the event comprises setting a start bookmark in recording metadata for the event if the start time of the new event is different from the recording start time for the event according to the EPG data; and trimming the recording of the event based on the start bookmark.

Plain English Translation

A method for recording a TV show involves setting the initial recording start and stop times based on the EPG. The system constantly monitors the broadcast for "new event" data that provides updated scheduling. It extracts the start time from this data and attempts to map the new event to the original event using matching criteria. If a new event is mapped, the recording is updated. If the new event's start time differs from the EPG, a start bookmark is set, and the recording is trimmed accordingly.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein mapping the new event to the event comprises: a first determining, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a start time within a predetermined tolerance to the recording start time for the event according to the EPG data; a second determining, from the event schedule information of the new event, whether the new event has a same title as a title of the event according to the EPG data; and linking the new event to the event in response to at least one the first and second determinations.

Plain English Translation

Expanding the method in claim 14, the system maps a "new event" to the original by comparing the new event's start time and title to the EPG data. The system links the new event if either the start time is within a tolerance, or the titles are identical, allowing the system to accommodate slight variations or inaccuracies in the EPG.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein extracting event schedule information of the new event comprises extracting a stop time from the event schedule information of the new event, the extracted stop time being prior to the stop time set according to the EPG data, the method further comprising: stopping a recording of the event in response to a determination that the recording of the event is in progress and the extracted stop time indicates that the event has already ended; and in response to the extracted stop time being subsequent to the stop time set according to the EPG data: updating the stop time of the recording of the event in response to a determination that the recording of the event is in progress or is not yet started, and setting a stop bookmark in recording metadata for the event in response to a determination that the recording of the event was completed prior to extracting the stop time.

Plain English Translation

This claim expands on the method of claim 14, specifically focusing on updating the recording based on the "new event" stop time. If the new event's stop time is earlier than the EPG's, and the recording is in progress, the recording is stopped. If the stop time is later, the recording is extended if it's in progress or not yet started. If the recording finished before the later stop time was extracted, a stop bookmark is set.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising: trimming the recording of the event based on the stop bookmark.

Plain English Translation

This claim extends claim 16 and simply states that the method further involves trimming the recording of the event based on the stop bookmark, which was previously set when the stop time was extended beyond when the recording completed.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the updating of the recording of the event comprises: extracting a duration from the event schedule information of the new event; and modifying the recording duration for the event based on the duration, wherein modifying the duration includes at least one of: stopping the recording of the event in response to a determination that the extracted duration indicates that the event has already ended; and change the stop time of the recording of the event in response to a determination that the extracted duration indicates that the event stop time is still in the future.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the method described in claim 14, the system uses the duration extracted from the new event's scheduling data to adjust the recording length. If the duration indicates the event has already ended, the recording is stopped. If the duration shows the event will continue past the scheduled stop time, the recording's stop time is changed accordingly.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

September 19, 2016

Publication Date

October 31, 2017

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Cite as: Patentable. “Broadcast schedule synchronized digital video recorder” (US-9807441). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9807441

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